Refuge

A Fresh Start

When Archie's alarm goes off, Veronica pretends to be asleep but she can feel him moving beneath her, and opens her eyes to see his face close to hers, his honey brown eyes staring back.

"Good morning," Archie grins. "How'd you sleep?"

"The best sleep I've had in awhile," Veronica admits honestly. "I hope I didn't intrude on your space."

"Are you joking?" Archie touches her back softly. "It was like having the best, softest blanket that cuddles back."

"I missed this," Veronica frowns, resting her chin on Archie's chest. "How safe you make me feel."

"Do you want breakfast?" Archie asks, glancing at the clock. "I don't have to be at work for almost two hours, so maybe we could go to Pop's, show Charlotte our old spot."

"I'd love that," Veronica agrees, hanging onto these last few moments in bed. "You don't mind if I borrow some towels to shower, do you? I unfortunately didn't bring that much with me."

"Whatever you need, Ronnie," he assured her, helping her find all of the things she would use for showering. "Don't hesitate to ask for anything, that goes for Charlotte too."

He catches her sniffling and turns her around before she can avoid talking to him.

"Hey, what?" Archie asks gently, not wanting her to be upset.

"It's just-" she wipes her nose. "I don't feel deserving of your kindness at all, opening up your home for me and Charlotte."

"I would do anything for you, and anything for my kid, regardless of the circumstances, okay?" Archie reassures her. "You don't have to feel like a guest here, and you definitely shouldn't feel uncomfortable around me."

"Archie, I'll never be able to repay you for your kindness," Veronica shakes her head.

"And you don't ever have to repay me. I'm doing this because I love you," Archie says softly. "I know how much that is for you... and I'm not asking for anything back. I'm just asking you to stay, to not keep me in the dark anymore, because I need to know you're safe."

"I'm safe," Veronica nods gently. "I know I'm safe with you."

"And Charlie is safe too," he adds.

"I never gave you an out- I never even told you that we had a kid, but I know how much that is," Veronica begins. "But I'm not forcing you into anything. Being a parent is- incredible- but it's so challenging and I'm not asking you to add that to your already full plate."

"Are you joking?" Archie looks at her like she's crazy. "I am in, one hundred percent, whatever that means. I'm not ever giving up on my daughter, no matter how hard it is. I don't care if I have to wear a tutu, I'm ready to be in her life."

"Why do you always have to show me up with your little speeches?" she frowns. "It's kind of unfair."

"Unfair?" Archie grins. "Unfair is you showing up on my doorstep and then immediately climbing into my bed for cuddles. You know I'm a sucker for you, Lodge."

"You always were."

"What are we going to eat for breakfast?" Charlotte wonders quietly, getting some morning cuddle time with her mother in the foreign upstairs bedroom. Veronica is surprised at how well her little girl was able to sleep in an unknown bed.

"Well, Archie is going to take us to a yummy restaurant called Pop's," Veronica smiles softly, warming her up to the idea of Archie.

"How are we going to get there?" Charlotte asks. "There were barely any taxis here."